Vila Verde hosts colloquium on the Riverside Caminos
Portuguese, Spanish, French and Italian experts will be in Vila de Prado, at the Ceramic Crafts Interpretive Center, on November 6 and 7, for the 11th International Colloquium “Caminhos de Santiago”, organized by the Municipality of Vila Verde and supported by the local parish council. The two-day meeting will be an opportunity to share knowledge and reflect on the history, future and heritage of the Caminos that lead pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.
The organizers chose “Os Caminhos Ribeirinhos” (The Riverside Caminos) as this year’s theme because the two paths that cross Vila Verde — the Torres Route and the Minhoto Ribeiro Route — pass through riverside landscapes along much of their length. The Torres Route was certified in June, giving this edition special significance, and the Minhoto Ribeiro Route is still undergoing certification. The colloquium aims to highlight the value of these itineraries as religious, historical, cultural and tourism heritage.
Friday’s sessions, on November 6, will focus on the enhancement, certification and promotion of the Caminos, on cultural and religious heritage and on the experience of making a pilgrimage. The official recognition of the Torres Route, votive offerings at shrines and the Via de la Plata in Ourense will also be up for discussion. On Saturday, the topics will include the spiritual and historical dimension of pilgrimage, the use of artificial intelligence to manage pilgrim flows and the relevance of certain places along the Caminos.
On Friday, after check-in, the Vila de Prado Music School will perform before the opening session. The iconographic exhibition “Caminhos de Santiago”, curated by Paulo Sá Machado, the colloquium’s director, will open at 3 p.m. and display pieces from his personal collection. The first day will end with a guided tour of the Ceramic Crafts Interpretive Center, and the conclusions will be read out on Saturday, before the closing lunch at 12:30 p.m.
The Prado Craft Market is organizing a Craft Fair at the same venue, also on these two days, supported by the municipal council and the parish council. Visitors and participants in the discussions can buy handicrafts and try their hand at pottery at the fair, which aims to showcase traditional know-how and promote artisanal work. It opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m., with a break from 1 to 2 p.m., and admission is free.
The colloquium requires a €25 registration fee, which includes documentation and Saturday’s lunch. Registration can be completed by email or by phone at 253 197 840.
